Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Insight.
The 2012 Honda Insight is a passenger‑car platform that employs a modest powertrain requiring 3.4 qt of 0W‑20 API oil and is paired with an automatic AV‑S7 transmission. Its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 40/42/41 mpg underscores its efficiency focus. Reliability data show 59 total owner complaints, with the engine as the primary complaint area and eight recalls recorded, placing the model near the lower end of the 2000‑2022 complaint spectrum, which peaked at 119 complaints in 2010 and bottomed at just two in 2004. Consequently, the 2012 Insight is positioned as a relatively dependable entry within the model’s two‑decade history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 151R · 340 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AV-S7) |
| Overall length | 172.4 in |
| Overall width | 66.5 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 100.8 in |
| Curb weight | 2723 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 58.3 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 58/42 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 40 / 42 / 41 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 85 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 16 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Insight of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | EX w/Nav Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.60 sec | 17.90 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.30 sec | 17.90 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.40 sec | 17.80 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX w/Nav Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.40 sec | 17.80 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.60 sec | 18.00 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX w/Nav Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.80 sec | — | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX w/Nav Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 10.90 sec | 18.20 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
| 2010 | EX w/Nav Hatchback 1.3L I-4 + Elec 13-kW | 11.20 sec | 18.30 sec | 98 hp | FWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Engine Oil | 0W-20 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.4 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8mm Bolts: 16 ft-lbs, 6mm Bolts: 9 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 33 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 17 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 23 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 7 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Automatic Transmission Drain Plug | 36.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 133 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 750 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Ignition Timing | 10 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 2 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | Idle rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 0.99-1.10 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 2.65-3.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 151R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 340 cca |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 38.0-46.0 psi |
| Engine Compression | 142 Minimum PSI. 28 Maximum PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 25 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 80 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.063 in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.039 in |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.0016 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.827 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.827 in |
| 1 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 | 7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 27 ft. lbs., 90 | 27 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 40 | 18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| At 160,000 mi | Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 Insight sits amid a decade‑long trend of increasing complaints and recalls that peaked in 2010 with 119 complaints and 10 recalls, then fell to 59 complaints and 8 recalls in 2012, before dropping further in subsequent years. Compared to 2011, which had 40 complaints and 10 recalls, 2012 shows a modest rise in complaints but a slight reduction in recalls, indicating a relatively stable but still noticeable issue profile. The year‑by‑year data shows a clear decline after 2013, with complaints falling to 5 in 2014 and remaining low thereafter, suggesting that the 2012 model year is near the apex of the recall/complaint curve for this generation. The top complaint areas in 2012—engine (32), airbags (10), unknown or other (5), and engine/fuel system (2)—highlight that powertrain and safety components were the primary concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. With only one crash complaint and no fire complaints recorded for 2012, the vehicle’s safety record appears acceptable relative to its peers. Overall, 2012 represents a transitional year with moderate issues; buyers should seek a well‑maintained unit with documented repair history, but the model remains a reasonable purchase if those concerns are addressed.
All 59 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014 Honda Insight and Acura TSX and TSX Wagon, 2014-2015 Honda Crosstour and Pilot vehicles nationwide, as well as certain 2014 Honda FCX Clarity and Fit EV… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer…
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2003-2012 Honda Accord and Pilot, 2010 Accord Crosstour, 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2003-2004, 2006-2008 and 2011 Element, 2007 and 2009-2013 Fit, 2010-2012… Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 22, 2018. Owners…
Showing 5 of 73 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| A18-048 | 2026-02-28 | Air Bags | Service Bulletin - Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Driver's Airbag… |
| APaS02262021902 | 2021-02-26 | Service Brakes | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016… |
| APaS02102021902 | 2021-02-10 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016… |
| A07-030 | 2021-01-23 | Equipment | "Service Bulletin - There are several A/C leak detection tools available. -Refrigerant… |
| APaS01222021909 | 2021-01-22 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) is searching for certain 2011-2016… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 40 city / 42 highway / 41 combined mpg.